Say, Allen. Grandfather's Journey.

Say, Allen. Grandfather’s Journey. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1993.

Grandfather’s Journey is about a young Japanese-American man who leaves his homeland of Japan to travel across sea to the beautiful sights of America. As you read this historical fiction, you learn the story of a grandfather who is struggling with the love of two countries throughout his life and his ongoing travels between the two places, told to you by his grandson. You will be finally introduced to his grandson at the end of the story when he decides to travel and stay in California after his grandfather passes away. The grandson says, “The moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other,” (31) and that is exactly how his grandfather felt all his life.

Each page has an impressionistic watercolor still life illustration of landscape or people, and you feel like you’re looking at a family photo album as you turn each page. Say’s brush strokes and lines do a great job illustrating age in people and shows tremendous detail. The colors are neutral and complement the emotions of the characters, and the shapes direct the reader’s eye to the positive space of the picture.

Allen Say does a great job putting his own voice into a story while the purpose was to educate children about a different culture. This book is relevant in today’s society and is appropriate for middle to upper elementary depending on comprehensive ability.